United States Courts: “A total of 97 vacancies exist among the 876 Article III judgeships in the Federal Judiciary. Eighteen of the 179 courts of appeals judgeships are vacant, as well as 79 of the 675 district court judgeships. Nominations made by the President and awaiting Senate action are pending for 12 of the 18 courts of appeals judgeships, and nominations for 29 of the 79 district court judgeships. An Article III judge is appointed to life tenure. Article III of the Constitution, focusing on the Judicial Branch of the federal government, states, “The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior.”